Multiple propeller drive for ships



Oct.'l2, 1954 w. WATERVAL 2,691,356

MULTIPLE PROPELLER DRIVE FOR SHIPS Filed NOV. 28, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmvrox W/u. MM Mum .44

ATTORNEY w. WATERVAL 2,691,356 MULTIPLE PROPELLER DRIVE FOR SHIPS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 12, 1954 Filed Nov. 28, 1950 INVENTORY M/ILL/AM [M4 75? W14 fl E 6(- QM ATTORNEY Oct. 12, 1954 w. WATERVAL 2,691,355

MULTIPLE PROPELLER DRIVE FOR SHIPS Filed Nov. 28, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IVENTOR. M ILL #744 1444776 RV By M C 73% Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATS 'TNT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a power drive for ships, and the like, and it has for its object to increase the propulsion of water crafts by means of multiple power units.

More especially this invention relates to a power transmitting mechanism suitable for use in propelling boats.

Another object of the invention is to provide power units readily replaceable, of individual capacity, which, when employed in multiple produce a high efficiency.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this application, and in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all views, and in which:

Figure l is a central longitudinal section of a portion of a ships hull, showing a belt-driven propulsion unit suspended therefrom.

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure l, but showing a gear-driven power unit.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2, but showing an electric motor as a driving means.

Figure 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing the means of mounting the motor.

Figure 5 is a rear end view of a ships hull, showing the placement of the twin drive propulsion units.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral it indicates the hull of a ship from which a belt-driven unit I I is suspended; at block member I2 is mounted inside the hull Hi, which latter is formed with an opening l3 to permit the passage of the belt l4; a casing I5 is sup ported by the block member ii; a pulley i6 is mounted on a shaft H, which latter is journaled in a ball bearing it in said casing H5. The shaft carries at one end a coupling IQ for connection to the ships power unit (not shown).

A strut 29 is secured to the hull of the ship by means of bolts 2|.

A casing 22 is formed integral with the lower end of the strut 20, for instance, by welding.

The casing 22, which is open at both ends, has bearing members 23 and 24 removably mounted therein; said bearing members are screwed into each end of said casing.

The said bearing members carry suitable ball and trust bearings 25, 26, 21 and 28, which support the shaft 28 carrying at or near its center a pulley 30 driven from the belt H1 and pulley l6;

2 oil seals 3| and t2 areprovided at each end of the bearing members 23 and 2 3; the shaft is is provided at its forward end with a propeller 33, and at its rear end with a propeller 34.

The above described assembly constitutes one complete propulsion unit.

Figure 2 shows a modified form of a propulsion drive in which a gear train is used; the latter comprises a worm 35 mounted on the shaft ll; said worm gear meshes with a spur gear mounted on a shaft 36; the spur gear, in turn, meshes with the gear 37 mounted on a shaft 38, while the gear 31 further meshes with the gear 39 mounted on a shaft Mi; also mounted on the shaft it is a gear ii meshing with a worm it carried by the shaft 29.

Figure 3 shows a still further modification of my invention in which an electric motor i3 is used for direct drive, eliminating the necessity of the usual belt or gear drive.

The motor 43 is mounted in the casing M provided with keys d5, 45 and it; the said casing integrally secured to and depending from the strut 25} attached to the hull of the ship in any convenient manner.

The motor casing is ii, 41 and 48.

The relative connection of the keys and key ways serve to obtain an easy and rapid assembly and replacement of the motor, which may be slit into the casing '34, while the key ways will prevent the rotating of said motor within the casing M.

It may be noted that the key 46 and key way 58 are of a wider dimension than the other keys and key ways; this provides an indexing means for the placement of the motor .3 within the casing 4 3.

Mounted on the motor casing is is a contact block 29 to which the field wires of the motor are connected.

A cable 59 is arranged within the strut 2t and is permanently connected to a block 5i arranged in the casing 44, so that when the motor is properly placed. in the said casing connection between the contact block 49 and contact block 55 will be established.

At 52 is shown an inlet to the casing 4-5, at 53 is shown an outlet connection from said casing in order to obtain circulation of air to cool the motor.

In order to take up the tension of the chain in case of replacement of the latter, and also adjustment of the chain in order to take up slacks due to wear and tear, the shaft ii in Figures 1 and 2 is provided with guides 54 attached provided with key ways to the ends of the casing l5 by bolting, and a bearing block 55 in which screws 56 are arranged for vertical movement; said guides are formed with threaded ends 51, which act as nuts in which the screws 56 are rotatable by means of the hand wheel 58, whereby any slacks occurring in the belt 55 may be compensated for,

It is obvious that in Figure 2, the Wear and tear on the worm gear 35 may be taken care of in like manner.

It is obvious that changes may bemadein-the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts, as shown, within the scope of the appendedclaim, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not, therefore, wish to limit myself to the exact construction and. arrange,- ment shown and described herein.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

A multiple propeller drive for ships comprising in combination, a ships hull having an. opening therein, a block member mounted inside said hull, a casing-supported'by said'block member, a shaft journalled in saidcasing, a pulley mounted on said shaft, and a coupling'at one end'of the latteradapted to connect said shaft to; a power unit, a strut secured to the, hull, a second casing'integral with the lower end' ofsaid strut, a second shaft'havinga propeller at each end; thereof, and

being mounted in said second casing, a second pulley arranged on the second shaft, and a belt mounted on said first and second pulley and adapted to actuate said second shaft, guides for said first shaft and being attached to the end of the first casing; bearing blocks supporting said first shaft, and screws mounted in the latter for vertical movement, and handwheels threaded upon said screws, whereby to adjust the belt drive.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number. Name Date 1,294,082 Golden Feb. 11, 1919 1,689,962 Peck Oct. 30, 1928 1,703,722; Carozzi Feb. 26, 1929 1,764,388 Buchet June 17, 1930 1,845,712- Jacques Feb. 16, 1932 1,910,561 Pierce .Q. May 23, 1933 2,475,115 Van Eaton; July'5, 1949 2,486,574 Roof Nov. 1, 1949' FOREIGN PATENTS I Number Country Date.-

112,261. Germany- Aug. 23, 1900 590,141 France Mar. 11, 1925- 

